Synonyms: Other Adjectives - SSAT Middle Level Verbal

"Feeble" is an adjective that means lacking strength. Of the answer choices, "weak" has the closest meaning.

Dismal means miserable.

Lewd means vulgar.

"Awry" can act as an adjective or an adverb and means "away from the appropriate, planned, or expected course," so we need to pick out a word that means something like "away from the expected course." While "wiry" sounds similar to "awry," "wiry" means "resembling wire in form and texture." Since "wiry" does not mean the same thing as "awry," it cannot be the correct answer. "Amiss," however, means "not quite right; inappropriate or out of place" as an adjective and "wrongly or inappropriately" as an adverb. Because "amiss" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "awry," it is the correct answer.

Something that is "diminutive" is small, miniature.

"Tedious" means boring or dull.

"Burgeon" is a verb that means "beginning to grow or increase rapidly, flourishing," or "putting forth young shoots; budding" when used of plants, so we need to pick out another adjective that means something like "flourishing." Since "escalating" means "increase rapidly" or "become or cause to become more intense or serious," "escalating" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "burgeoning," so it is the correct answer.

"Illicit" is an adjective that means "forbidden by law, rules, or custom," so we need to pick out another word that means "forbidden." While "condoned" might sound like a potentially correct answer, "condoned" means "accepted and allowed to continue" and used of things that are morally wrong or offensive, "condoned" does not mean the same thing as "illicit," so it cannot be the correct answer. Since "illegal" means "contrary to or forbidden by law, especially criminal law," "illegal" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "illicit" and the correct answer.

Someone who is "bourgeois" is of the middle-class.

"Formidable" is an adjective that means "inspiring fear or respect through being impressively large, powerful, intense, or capable." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "inspiring fear or respect." "Afraid" may look like a potentially correct answer, but "afraid" does not mean "inspiring fear," but rather "feeling fear or anxiety; frightened," so it cannot be the correct answer. "Accomplished," however, is an adjective that means "highly trained or skilled," and because "accomplished" is the answer choice that is closest in meaning to "formidable," "accomplished" is the correct answer.

"Potent" is an adjective that means "having great power, influence, or effect," so we need to pick out an adjective that means something like "powerful" or "having a strong effect." "Frail," then, cannot be the correct answer, because "frail" is an adjective that can mean "of a person: weak and delicate," "easily damaged or broken; fragile or insubstantial," or "weak in character or morals," making it an antonym, not a synonym, of "potent." "Mighty," however, is an adjective that can mean "possessing great and impressive power or strength, especially on account of size" or "of an action: performed with or requiring great strength." Because "mighty" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "potent," "mighty" is the correct answer.

“Engrossed” is an adjective that means “having all one’s attention or interest absorbed by someone or something.” So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “absorbed.” That means that “bored” cannot be the correct answer, because “bored” is an adjective that means “feeling weary because one is unoccupied or lacks interest in one’s current activity,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “engrossed.” “Riveted,” however, is an adjective that can mean “attracted and completely engrossed,” and because “riveted” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “engrossed,” “riveted” is the correct answer.

“Null” is a word that can be used as an adjective, noun, or verb, but because all of the potential answer choices are adjectives, we will need to consider “null” as an adjective. When used as an adjective, “null” means either “having no legal or binding force; invalid” or “having or associated with the value zero.” So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “cancelled” or “associated with the value zero.” That means that “valid” cannot be the correct answer, because “valid” can mean “legally binding due to having been executed in compliance with the law” or “legally or officially acceptable,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “null.” “Void,” however, when used as an adjective, means “not valid or legally binding,” and because “void” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “null,” “void” is the correct answer.

“Ingrained” is an adjective that can mean either “firmly fixed or established; difficult to change” when referring to a habit, belief, or attitude, or “deeply embedded and thus difficult to remove” when referring to dirt or a stain. So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “difficult to change” or “deeply embedded.” That means that “transient” cannot be the correct answer, because “transient” means “lasting only for a short time; impermanent,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “ingrained.” “Entrenched,” however, is an adjective that is used of an attitude, habit, or belief and means “firmly established and difficult or unlikely to change; ingrained.” Because “entrenched” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “ingrained,” “entrenched” is the correct answer.

“Insidious” is an adjective that can mean either “proceeding subtly, but with harmful effects” or “treacherous and crafty,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “subtly harmful” or “treacherous.” That means that “overt” cannot be the correct answer, because “overt” means “done or shown openly; plainly or readily apparent, not secret or hidden,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “insidious.” “Pernicious,” however, is an adjective that means “having a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way,” and because “pernicious” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “insidious,” “pernicious” is the correct answer.

"Estranged" means alienated. The best answer is "distant" because when you feel estranged, you feel distant from others.

Words you may not know:

• "Exacerbate" means to make worse or to irritate.

“Eerie” is an adjective that means weird and scary. That means that “tranquil” cannot be the correct answer, because “tranquil” means calm, a meaning very distant from that of “eerie.” “Uncanny,” however, is an adjective that means perplexing and odd and because “uncanny” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “eerie,” “uncanny” is the correct answer.

"Deliberate" means intentional; Accidental means unintentional; Harmful means causing harm; Treacherous means dangerous; and Illegal means not lawful.

"Potent" means powerful; Unfortunate means unlucky; Immortal means able to live forever; Memorable means easily remembered; and Critical means important.